Are computer programs protected by copyright?

Yes, computer programs are protected by copyright law. According to the United States Copyright Office, the Copyright Act of 1976 states that computer programs, including source and object codes, are "literary works" that are protected by copyright law. This means that computer programs are given the same copyright protection as books, musical compositions, and other literary works. In Nebraska, any person who creates a computer program is automatically considered the copyright owner of that program. This copyright gives the person exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, display, and perform the program. Anyone who wants to use the program or portions of the program must get permission from the copyright owner first. If they do not, they can be prosecuted for copyright infringement. Copyright law also protects any modification or derivative works that are created from a computer program. This means that if a person changes or adds something to a program, the modified version of the program is protected by copyright law. This protects the original version of the program by allowing the copyright holder to control the use and adaptation of the program. In short, computer programs are protected by copyright law both in the United States and in Nebraska. The copyright owner of a program has exclusive rights to the program, and anyone who wants to use the program must get permission from the copyright owner first. This helps to protect the original work from unauthorized use and misuse.

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Are computer programs protected by copyright?

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